How do I transfer my café’s operating licence to a new owner in Greece, and what approvals are required?

In Greece
Last Updated: Feb 1, 2026
I’m selling a small café in Athens and the buyer wants to keep operating without closing. I’m not sure if the licence can be transferred or if they must apply from scratch, and how long the municipality approval usually takes.

Lawyer Answers

KARACHRISTOS THOMAS & ASSOCIATES (STEP) Law Firm

KARACHRISTOS THOMAS & ASSOCIATES (STEP) Law Firm

Feb 2, 2026
It must be noted that operating license transfers have been replaced by the Notification system with instant results and no delay. Under this framework, the current operator is required to notify the details of the new operator via the Open Business portal. The new operator must subsequently accept this change through the same portal. The current owner must notify the change of operator details before the establishment begins operating under the new entity. Both the new and the old operators are obliged to provide notification of this change within ten (10) days. This 10-day deadline refers specifically to the period between the signing of the transfer agreement and the final digital submission of the change on the portal.Failure to comply with this timeframe will result in the imposition of prescribed administrative penalties. In cases where the change concerns only the operator’s details, any existing approvals and certificates remain valid for the establishment under the new operator until their respective expiration dates.
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